Our technology
Targeted Active Therapy, in a nutshell
Rather than weakening the entire immune system, we neutralize only the antibodies responsible for the disease, using an antigen designed as the exact mirror of the target.
The problem: a signal that no longer gets through
In myasthenia gravis, the autoimmune reaction targets the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) at the neuromuscular junction, where nerve meets muscle. Under normal conditions, a nerve impulse triggers the release of acetylcholine, which binds to these receptors, causing them to open, allowing ions to flow into the muscle cell and trigger contraction."
In patients, autoantibodies target a key region of the receptor known as the 'main immunogenic region.' This triggers a cascade of biological reactions — including blocking of the acetylcholine binding site, receptor internalization, and complement-mediated destruction — that progressively inactivates and destroys the receptors, resulting in extreme muscle weakness that can affect the eyelids, vision, swallowing, speech, and breathing.
The solution
A molecular mirror, in four steps
Following a discovery by Prof. J. Edwin Blalock, CuraVac manufactures a complementary peptide and uses it as a Targeted Active Therapy.
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01
The autoantigen
A natural component of the body that carries a molecular “lock” (its immunogenic region) — in this case, the autoantigen targeted in myasthenia gravis.
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02
The autoimmune disease
Autoantibodies (auto‑Ab, in blue) bind to the acetylcholine receptor and block its normal function, thereby preventing the usual signal from passing through.
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03
The complementary peptide
CuraVac designs a complementary peptide: the exact mirror of the autoantigen's lock.
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04
The immunization
Injected as a Targeted Active Therapy, it induces anti‑autoantibodies (anti‑auto‑Ab, in green) that neutralize the harmful autoantibodies and restore normal function.
How is this a breakthrough?
The medications available today rely on aggressive alterations of the immune system: they reduce its overall effectiveness causing serious side effects, without addressing the underlying cause.
Current treatments
- Weaken the entire immune system.
- Significant side effects, requiring lifelong use.
- Symptomatic or suppressive —no actual cure.
CuraVac's approach
- Targets only the misguided part of the immune system, leaving normal defenses intact.
- Preserves healthy immune functions.
- Aims for lasting improvement, even remission.
“Restore patients' health for the long term, rather than treating the disease for life.”
At CuraVac, we believe in treating the disease, not in maintenance therapy.
One platform
Same technology, other diseases
Myasthenia gravis is our first target. Targeted active immunotherapy using complementary peptides can be extended to other autoimmune diseases, which affect an estimated 5 to 8% of the world’s population.
- Myasthenia gravis · current target
- Multiple sclerosis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Graves' disease
- Lupus (SLE)
- Hashimoto's disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
A platform validated in Phase 1b, ready for Phase 2
An excellent safety and tolerability profile, along with early signs of efficacy, was demonstrated in the Phase 1b trial for myasthenia gravis. We are seeking investors to fund the Phase 2 efficacy trial.